FITTING FRAME 36

[bob mitchell]

     I went to the boat this morning with my frame pieces, Not feeling optimistic, but when I put the upper and lower frames in on the port side, they fit pretty well -  then I put the fwd gusset in, and realized that it could so easily be fine tuned it was rediculous - it demands to fit right, if the old chine is in place - unfortunately I had not appreciated the need to leave the old chine exactly where I needed it, for various reasons. So on that side I located it with a pointer extended from the existing forward chine so I could absolutely be confident enough to clamp and glue the frame members. The chine and gusset pattern are the key. On this side, after the epoxy drys, I will remove the frame and clean up the bottom.

               Note the chine cross-section in this shot - a 3/4" piece of plywood with a piece of douglas fir in front of it. Also note, as Clyde mentioned, to "Take good notice of the rounding of the chine area prior to fiberglassing the hull.  Note that the radius is such that the entire thickness of the planks is removed at the “point” of the chine, fairing back on that radius to the full thickness of the plank."

            On the stb side I had left the chine even though it somewhat deteriated (to be replaced later)   The frames fit ok, but the gusset was off, but quickly and easily tuned (3 minutes with hand plane) to fit perfectly. I mean with the chine angles the gusset just screams to you what to do to make it fit - so at that point I glued that one up too.  All in all it went really well. Tomorrow I will pull them back out and put the knee and other gusset on (glued and stainless screws) in the workshop with absolute confidence on the fit. The floor is made, so in it goes - and I will probably run two permanent, bolted 2x4 doug fir (from port side upper frame member to starboard side) right below the level of my new cockpit sole, as well as connect up the new "legs" for the rudder post support. Then frame 36 will pretty much stabilize the hull in all directions. Next I will start on the transom.   (ummmh, but not before creating or confirming the gussets for 37 and38.)

[Dennis Gaffney]

I continue to be amazed at your skill and perseverance!

[bob mitchell]

Well Dennis, I really appreciate that. Today I fitted the floor for 36, and then went up in the cockpit, and caught a vision of my new cockpit floor and lazerette layout, which I will share with you in a few more days - after Clyde has had his input!  But, here is planned cockpit sole level.

[michael soto]

Meishō (master craftsman in Japanese),

 

Thank you for showing how these beauties are made.  I bet no other group of boat affectionados (sp?) has a Meisho like you to show the path to enlightenment.